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About ehowe1692

Elizabeth Howe has been reading Tarot, primarily to reveal the self, for the past ten years. Tarot is a great tool to get at the essential self.
Elizabeth's readings are like spiritual spelunking. Tarot, read regularly over time, can peel away our defenses and manufactured layers. It helps reveal the lost parts of ourselves. These lost parts are more commonly buried treasure than shipwreck. Once these bits of spiritual booty make it to the surface, we can see our own futures.
Fortunetelling starts with discovery. Once we know ourselves, we can chart our own courses.

Last year I did a reading for Super Bowl XLIX, I got it right, so I’m giving this another shot. My reading for Super Bowl 50 is pictured above. I’m still not a sports analyst, so I can’t comment on individual players, coaches, or anything else that could factor into the game. In fact I had never heard of one of the teams before two weeks ago. I just have a deck of cards and the question, “Who will win the Super Bowl this year?” These teams are evenly matched, by the very fact they are playing each other in this game. I’m doing this reading the morning of the game, so there is a good chance the free will of the players will not cause a change in this outcome, but you never know. I drew three cards for each team. Here’s what those cards had to say:

The Carolina Panthers

The cards are the Emperor, Inverted 6 of Cups, and the Inverted Hierophant. My method of reading involves using a pendulum to find keywords and phrases for each card, and interpreting from there.

Emperor: The opportunity to act forcefully and with conviction. For men, this card represents what society expects of you. As a card of virility, this is the energetic inseminator who projects their will outward.

The Inverted 6 of Cups: Delays will test courage, but are followed by success.

The Inverted Hierophant: Delayed ambitions.

The Denver Broncos

The cards are the 4 of Swords, Justice, and the 7 of Pentacles.

4 of Swords: Retirement

Justice: You may be at a point of decision upon which subsequent accountings or consequences will be based.

7 of Pentacles: A warning not to rest on past laurels.

Card Interactions

There are several interactions in this reading, some between teams. The 4 of Swords lightens the natural solidness of the Emperor. The Emperor before the Hierophant suggests a struggle between materialistic and spiritual desires, with the material winning. And Justice comes between the 4 of Swords and 7 of Pentacles in this spread, suggesting a desire to balance retirement against the warning not to rest on past laurels.

The Interpretation

This is all in fun, and I don’t want anyone losing money over this, so use this reading only to substantiate other research. It struck me that we are in the last day of the Moon cycle. This seems like an appropriate day to end a sports season. That said, it looks like the Panthers will win. The Emperor suggests they will play aggressively and the Inverted 6 of Cups and Inverted Hierophant suggest they might start to pull ahead in points late in the game. The mention of retirement confused me, so I googled “Broncos retirement,” and found this. I don’t know if this player is retiring, or if the discussion is enough to pull the players’ focus from the game. The 7 of Pentacles might substantiate what we see in the other team’s spread. Perhaps the Broncos will take the lead early on and relax enough to give the Panthers a winning shot. Whatever the outcome, the snacks and commercials will be sure winners. Keep your eye on the ball, sports fans.

Interpretation

The Man in the Moon looks very contemplative in this image. Inverted, we see him as a waning crescent, the phase between the Full Moon and the Third Quarter, a time for “letting go, clearing away, cleansing, releasing, shedding old patterns, undoing bindings, opening up problem-knots, making space.” We associate the Moon with the tides and night. And the Moon card has some strong interactions with the suit of Cups (the water element), especially with the emotionally-packed 5 and 7. Inverted cards are open to so many interpretations, many of them contradictory. Add the dreamy, mystic layer of the Moon, and these interpretations can either deny or embrace the fantastic.

In the denial camp, this can indicate a need to cling to the rational and practical world. If you can’t touch it, it doesn’t exist. If it isn’t logical, it’s not worth trying to understand it. This mindset might take some effort now, especially if you are confronted by something irrational, other-worldly, or paranormal. This might be a feeling you can’t shake, but can’t believe is true (like a deceased loved one who sends you a message through a dream). It might drain you psychically to fight for the conventional.

On the other hand, you might dive into these experiences with certainty. You might actually find comfort in mystery, knowing there are energies and beings working just outside normal perception. This can represent emerging psychic gifts, or the calm necessary to deal with issues surrounding trauma, madness, or addiction.

The upright card is hard to pin down, and its inversion can be even trickier. Carefully note the other cards in the spread, and take your time with the interpretation. This might be one of those readings you photograph, take notes on, and ponder for some time. It could be as simple as setting a timeline based on the waning moon, or it could be a gateway into a parallel world.

Interactions

The Moon tends to obscure the surrounding cards, and its interpretation depends largely on the question asked, and the surrounding cards.

Major Arcana

Magician: The Moon and the Magician (Magus or Cobbler in other decks) in combination, represent a con man. Keep an eye out for trickery or deception.High Priestess: The Moon and the High Priestess in combination, indicate the need to focus on intuitive and internal work or experiences.Hierophant: The Moon and the Hierophant in combination, suggest there may be a misuse of power, deception, or spiritual manipulation present in the situation.Lovers: If the Moon comes before the Lovers, it suggests the end of a love affair through deception or lies, or an illusion of love which ends abruptly.Chariot: If the Moon comes before the Chariot, there will be a scandal or sickness. This influence is weakened if the Moon is inverted. If the Moon comes after the Chariot, a secret will come to light.Justice: The Moon and the Justice in combination, are strongly malign and indicate deceit, injustice, and secrets or withheld information that might have some bearing on the situation.Death: If the Moon comes before the Death card, it denotes loss as a result of slander. If both of these cards are inverted, the truth will be revealed.Devil: The Moon and the Devil in combination, are strongly malign and indicate the need to focus on physical work or experiences. Also watch for secrets or withheld information that might have some bearing on the situation.Tower: The Moon and the Tower in combination, are strongly malign and indicate deceit, injustice, and secrets or withheld information that might have some bearing on the situation.

Minor Arcana

7 of Rods: The Moon and the 7 of Rods (Wands, Staves, or Clubs in other decks) in combination, indicate the need to focus on physical work or experiences. Also watch for secrets or withheld information that might have some bearing on the situation.7 of Cups: The Moon and the 7 of Cups (Hearts in other decks) in combination, represent confusion or living in a fantasy world.5 of Cups: The Moon and the 5 of Cups (Hearts in other decks) in combination, are an indication to watch for extreme or unhealthy lengths of depression, especially as related to mourning a loss.3 of Swords: The Moon and the 3 of Swords (Spades in other decks) in combination, indicate the need to focus on physical work or experiences. Also watch for secrets or withheld information that might have some bearing on the situation.

The Major Arcana

The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana tend to hold the big lessons. These cards carry powerful messages. If you are reading a spread of cards, watch for the Major Arcana. If your spread contains more than 30% Major Arcana, you are in the midst of something big, or beyond your control. If most of the cards in the spread are from the Major Arcana, you might be trying to exert too much control. You might have trouble expressing your feelings, or you might be near your breaking point. A spread without any Major Arcana cards could indicate you are hiding from the truth of the issue, or are in some deep distress. If this is the case, it is important to find someone you can trust to guide you through this period of time. In a spread, focus most of your attention on the Major Arcana. The other cards will be useful for clarifying the situation.

The Number — 18, which resolves to 9

Nine represents completion, solitude, and protection.

The Inversion

There is nothing to fear with an inversion. Mary K. Greer explains in her book, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals, that an inverted card may be interpreted in one or more of these twelve ways:

Interpretation

The goat-headed figure in this card has an inverted pentagram on its forehead. That alone is enough to give it a sinister meaning, “the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns, a sign execrated by initiates.” The design of the card also echoes The Lovers, who are facing away from each other. The Devil’s torch is also inverted, possibly having just lit the lake of fire.

If you feel a sense of dread when you see this card, you’ve got the right idea. It represents fear, lies, and the shadow side of all of us. Devil itself comes from a Greek word, “diabolos,” which means slanderer or accuser. This card deals in social and sexual taboos, materialistic concerns, and self-serving attitudes. It seeks out a scapegoat. It can only possess, it cannot love.

If you receive the Devil in a spread, watch for strong interactions with surrounding cards. If this card represents you, you have some soul searching to do, and it won’t be pleasant. You are probably being called to face your addictions, views towards sexuality, or dominant role in relationships. If the Devil represents someone else (especially if paired with the Hanged Man), it shows a lopsided relationship. One person is trying to control the other, sometimes while denying they have any control over the situation. The Devil is often accompanied by passion, which is the hook that draws you in. Working through this relationship and ending it, will result in a feeling of loss. That’s natural. This grief can be hard to navigate, and will create a gravitational pull back into the relationship. Resist that and you will heal. Yield to it, and you will continue the cycle until there is nothing left of you.

Interactions

In a spread, the Devil is a highly materialistic card. It tends to twist or skew surrounding cards to their more negative extremes

Major Arcana

Fool: The Devil and Fool cancel each other out in a spread.Magician: The Devil in combination with the Magician (Magus or Cobbler in other decks) can indicate a con man. If these two cards are opposite each other in the fifth and tenth positions in the Celtic Cross spread, a delay will occur.Inverted Empress: If the Devil comes after the Inverted Empress, the two cards will cancel each other out.Emperor: If the Devil comes before the Emperor, it can indicate national agitation. If the Devil comes after the Emperor, there could be a threat to a national leader.Hierophant: The Devil in combination with the Hierophant cancel each other out, and can indicate a misuse of power, deception, or spiritual manipulation.Justice: If the Devil comes before Justice, there will be a miscarriage of Justice. If the Devil comes after Justice, the accusation will be proved false.Hermit: If the Devil comes before the Hermit, the Devil’s energy will prevail. If the Devil comes after the Hermit, underhanded methods and powerful enemies will be exposed and good will prevail. All of these will be delayed if the Hermit is inverted.Hanged Man: The Devil in combination with the Hanged Man indicates a partnership, bond, or marriage, in which one partner makes a big sacrifice to ensure contentment. The selfish partner must be prepared to give more.Star: The Devil and Star cancel each other out.Moon: The Devil in combination with the Moon is malign, suggesting deceit, especially through keeping secrets or withholding information.

Minor Arcana

Nine of Cups (Hearts): The Devil in combination with the Nine of Cups (Hearts in other decks) suggests dangerous overindulgence.

The Major Arcana

The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana tend to hold the big lessons. These cards carry powerful messages. If you are reading a spread of cards, watch for the Major Arcana. If your spread contains more than 30% Major Arcana, you are in the midst of something big, or beyond your control. If most of the cards in the spread are from the Major Arcana, you might be trying to exert too much control. You might have trouble expressing your feelings, or you might be near your breaking point. A spread without any Major Arcana cards could indicate you are hiding from the truth of the issue, or are in some deep distress. If this is the case, it is important to find someone you can trust to guide you through this period of time. In a spread, focus most of your attention on the Major Arcana. The other cards will be useful for clarifying the situation.

Interpretation

The image on this card clearly indicates travel. This might be physical travel, especially by air, or it could represent mentally planning for a trip. The swords in this image are also aligned. This travel is necessary to get your thoughts in order.

Sixes are naturally collaborative cards. They stress the need to discern relationships and patterns. Since the Swords relate to the mental and intellectual, this card may represent aid in moving from the turmoil of the Five of Swords, to a safe shore or harbor. If you received this “getaway” card, you probably need a little distance from your everyday life. Everyone needs a breather now and then. Some sort of vacation is in order. This change of scenery can shift your perspective. Follow your intuition. Do you need a long lunch with a friend? Do you need to plan a trip to a resort? Do you need to take a sabbatical in a remote location? Whatever you do, enjoy the journey.

Interactions

The Six of Swords adds motion to the following cards.

Major Arcana

Fool: When the Fool and Six of Swords come together in a spread, it indicates travel.Lovers: If any cards from the suit of Swords come after the Lovers, it indicates the end of a relationship.Chariot: When the Chariot and Six of Swords come together in a spread, it indicates the need for quick action.World: When the World and Six of Swords come together in a spread, it indicates long distance travel.

Minor Arcana

Eight of Cups: When the Eight of Cups (hearts in other decks) and Six of Swords come together in a spread, it emphasizes the need to leave a situation.Knights: When any of the Knights and Six of Swords come together in a spread, it indicates the need for quick action.

The Suit — Swords or Spades

The sword cuts and dissects. Swords represents the element of air. They are intellect. They are double-sided, which allows them to both damage and heal. The images in the suit might be alarming to some, but they are not simply aggressive. Yes, we can use blades to inflict pain, but we also use them to carve, shave, and trim.

Interpretation

Even inverted, this card relates to the end of a cycle. The inversion, however, might make that ending anticlimactic. You could even find you need to redo some tasks before you can put the project to bed.

If you receive this card you might feel stagnant, limited, and frustrated. These feelings could keep you from moving forward. Conversely, you could stay put to rest on your laurels. Whatever the motivation, the response is the same. You are coming to the end of a cycle and you have not reached your full potential.

How can you combat this energy? You can look at the project and analyze its stages or components. Is there still room for improvement? Is there still time to make those changes? Set out to improve those small bits you are able to change. Change them one at a time. Then step back and look at the project again. It might be that extra shot you need to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Interactions

The World interacts with the other major arcana.

Major Arcana

Magician: The Magician (Cobbler or Magus in other decks) negates the abstract quality of the World.Emperor: When the upright Emperor comes before the World, it suggests a lull in war, a state of truce, or a transient peace. When the inverted Emperor comes before the World, it suggests conflict, or loss of power or position in the world.Justice: Justice negates the abstract quality of the World.Hermit: The Hermit negates the abstract quality of the World.Wheel of Fortune: When the Wheel of Fortune and the World combine in a spread, light will be shed on hidden factors, which will bring success.Hanged Man: When the Hanged Man comes before the World, a loving sacrifice will bring triumph. When the Hanged Man comes after the World, it suggests a sacrifice that could result in sadness and parting.Death: When the Death card comes before the World, it could indicate the fall of a national leader or a world epidemic.Tower: When the Tower and the World come together in a spread, it indicates a general, rather than a personal matter.Sun: When the Sun and the World come together in a spread, it indicates an uplifting emotional experience which brings love, joy, and harmony.

The Major Arcana

The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana tend to hold the big lessons. These cards carry powerful messages. If you are reading a spread of cards, watch for the Major Arcana. If your spread contains more than 30% Major Arcana, you are in the midst of something big, or beyond your control. If most of the cards in the spread are from the Major Arcana, you might be trying to exert too much control. You might have trouble expressing your feelings, or you might be near your breaking point. A spread without any Major Arcana cards could indicate you are hiding from the truth of the issue, or are in some deep distress. If this is the case, it is important to find someone you can trust to guide you through this period of time. In a spread, focus most of your attention on the Major Arcana. The other cards will be useful for clarifying the situation.

Number — 21, which resolves to 3

Three is a number of creativity, cooperation, and integration.

The Inversion

There is nothing to fear with an inversion. Mary K. Greer explains in her book, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals, that an inverted card may be interpreted in one or more of these twelve ways:

Interpretation

The Page of Swords is a young person (or someone young at heart) with a great deal of air (Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius) in their chart. Pages often represent messengers. This page’s message is often malicious gossip.

This person might be acting out of wounds from childhood. These are hurts they have never been able to effectively bind up and heal. At best, this page will withdraw from social interaction and feel tongue-tied. More likely, they will lash out unexpectedly. They even find enjoyment in the pain they are able to cause through belittling and slandering others. They thrive on misunderstandings and find shelter in the misdirected. You might find their sarcasm entertaining for a while, especially if it is directed at people you dislike. But, this person will eventually injure you, especially if they perceive you as a threat. Don’t trust this person.

If this sounds like you, seek out a guide to help you root out the source of this pain. The process will be difficult and will take time, but it will eventually teach you who you can and cannot trust. If this page is someone in your community, try your best to avoid them. They might be bright, but that does not mean they act rationally.

Interactions

Major Arcana

Fool: The Page of Swords in combination with the Fool indicates a fresh start.Lovers: If the Page of Swords comes after the Lovers, a relationship will end.

Minor Arcana

Eight of Rods (Clubs, Wands, or Staves): The Page of Swords in combination with the Eight of Rods (Clubs, Wands, or Staves in other decks) suggests a message; especially one related to difficulties, contracts, legal matters, or gossip; may play a key role in events.

The Suit — Swords or Spades

The sword cuts and dissects. Swords represents the element of air. They are intellect. They are double-sided, which allows them to both damage and heal. The images in the suit might be alarming to some, but they are not simply aggressive. Yes, we can use blades to inflict pain, but we also use them to carve, shave, and trim.

The Rank — Page (or Princess)

Traditionally, pages represent young people under the age of 21. Energetically, the pages are messengers, students, or catalysts. These cards play more of a supporting role in a spread.

The Inversion

There is nothing to fear with an inversion. Mary K. Greer explains in her book, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals, that an inverted card may be interpreted in one or more of these twelve ways:

Interpretation

This is the last card of the Major Arcana. It shows a cosmopolitan woman, holding a lily, within a circle. The figures in the corners of the card are often interpreted as the four christian evangelists, in the context of Revelations 4:7, “And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” The evangelists are: Matthew (upper left), John (upper right), Luke (bottom left), and Mark (bottom right). These symbols suggest the reward of a completed cycle. The circle shows there is no true ending — endings and beginnings are intertwined.

You have completed a cycle. You have come to the end of an era. You are ready for your next big adventure. You are right where you need to be. But, this is not just about you. This card reaches out into your larger community. No individual is complete when alone. The Fool gathered a community while he traveled, and ended up living in the World.

The World generally offers good news, especially when paired with the Sun. However, it can be difficult in combination with the Death card, or the inverted Emperor. Whatever news you receive, know this is simply the end of this cycle. Our lives form spirals. We may think we’re in the same spot we were some years ago, but when we look closer, we are on a different level of the experience. Take a look around. Survey everything in your field of vision. You might see this landscape again, but that doesn’t mean you are the same Fool who was here before.

Interactions

The World interacts with the other major arcana.

Major Arcana

Magician: The Magician (Cobbler or Magus in other decks) negates the abstract quality of the World.Emperor: When the upright Emperor comes before the World, it suggests a lull in war, a state of truce, or a transient peace. When the inverted Emperor comes before the World, it suggests conflict, or loss of power or position in the world.Justice: Justice negates the abstract quality of the World.Hermit: The Hermit negates the abstract quality of the World.Wheel of Fortune: When the Wheel of Fortune and the World combine in a spread, light will be shed on hidden factors, which will bring success.Hanged Man: When the Hanged Man comes before the World, a loving sacrifice will bring triumph. When the Hanged Man comes after the World, it suggests a sacrifice that could result in sadness and parting.Death: When the Death card comes before the World, it could indicate the fall of a national leader or a world epidemic.Tower: When the Tower and the World come together in a spread, it indicates a general, rather than a personal matter.Sun: When the Sun and the World come together in a spread, it indicates an uplifting emotional experience which brings love, joy, and harmony.

The Major Arcana

The twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana tend to hold the big lessons. These cards carry powerful messages. If you are reading a spread of cards, watch for the Major Arcana. If your spread contains more than 30% Major Arcana, you are in the midst of something big, or beyond your control. If most of the cards in the spread are from the Major Arcana, you might be trying to exert too much control. You might have trouble expressing your feelings, or you might be near your breaking point. A spread without any Major Arcana cards could indicate you are hiding from the truth of the issue, or are in some deep distress. If this is the case, it is important to find someone you can trust to guide you through this period of time. In a spread, focus most of your attention on the Major Arcana. The other cards will be useful for clarifying the situation.